City Council Special Meeting

Special meeting of the City Council

III. CONVENE OPEN SESSION: (7:00 PM, Council Chambers)

A. ROLL CALL

B.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

C.  REFERENCE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC:
A plaque stating the fundamental rights of each member of the public is posted at the entrance to this meeting room per section 4.04.030 of the City of Benicia's Open Government Ordinance.

IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA:

V.  OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Council on any matter not on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council.  State law prohibits the City Council from responding to or acting upon matters not listed on the agenda.  Each speaker has a maximum of five minutes for public comment.  If others have already expressed your position, you may simply indicate that you agree with a previous speaker.  If appropriate, a spokesperson may present the views of your entire group.  Speakers may not make personal attacks on council members, staff or members of the public, or make comments which are slanderous or which may invade an individual’s personal privacy.

A. WRITTEN COMMENT.

B. PUBLIC COMMENT

VI. BUSINESS ITEMS (7:00 PM):
A public hearing should not exceed one hour in length. To maximize public participation, the council requests that speakers be concise and avoid repetition of the remarks of prior speakers. Instead, please simply state whether you agree with prior speakers.

A. APPROVE THE 2011-12 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENICIA AND THE BENICIA PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (BPSEA) (Report to be issued Monday, September 26, 2011.)

Not unlike most jurisdictions in California, the City of Benicia has identified a structural deficit due to the unprecedented downturn of the economy.  The City has identified a structural deficit that is anticipated to continue for the next 10 years, with a projected shortfall of approximately $1.7 million for 2011-12.  On September 6, 2011, the City Council unilaterally implemented compensation changes for BPSEA, as the parties had been unable to reach agreement.  On September 14, 2011, the parties met again and reached a tentative agreement.  On September 20, 2011, BPSEA informed the City that its membership had ratified the tentative agreement.   The salary and benefit reductions for BPSEA recommended in this City Council agenda item are consistent with the types of salary and benefit concessions that have been agreed to via negotiations with the majority of other employee associations representing City employees.  This action will assist the City’s efforts to make ongoing reductions in order to address the City’s structural deficit.

RECOMMENDATION:  Adopt the resolution approving the 2011-12 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the employees in BPSEA and authorize the City Manager to take the necessary actions appropriate to effectuate the purpose and intent of this action.

B. UNILATERAL IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES IN WAGES, HOURS AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EMPLOYEES IN BENICIA FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION (BFA)

Not unlike most jurisdictions in California, the City of Benicia has identified a structural deficit due to the unprecedented downturn of the economy.  The deficit is anticipated to continue for the next 10 years, with a projected shortfall of approximately $1.7 million for 2011-12.  The salary and benefit reductions for BFA recommended in this City Council agenda item are consistent with the Council’s direction to staff related to concession negotiations, and they are consistent with the types of salary and benefit concessions that have been agreed to via negotiations with the other employee associations representing City employees.  Specifically, senior managers, mid-managers, police mid-managers, Local One, Benicia Police Officers Association, Benicia Dispatchers Association, and unrepresented employees in addition to the City Manager, City Attorney, City Council and City Clerk have all taken the requested reductions.   Further, an item to approve the 2011-12 Benicia Public Service Employees Association Memorandum, which includes agreed upon concessions, is also on the Council’s agenda for September 28th.  These actions by the majority of the City’s employee groups will assist the City’s efforts to make ongoing reductions in order to address the City’s structural deficit. 

RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the resolution implementing changes in wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment for employees in the Benicia Firefighters Association (BFA) and authorize the City Manager to take the necessary actions appropriate to effectuate the purpose and intent of this action.
VII.
ADJOURNMENT (8:30 PM):